Syringe with rotatable element, infusion/aspiration system including the syringe, and associated methods,

ABSTRACT

A slip ring assembly for an injector is provided, where the injector includes a handle assembly coupled to a syringe barrel, and a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through a receptacle. The slip ring assembly includes a rotatable element disposed about the syringe barrel and configured to rotate at least partially about a circumference of the barrel, a retention groove positioned upon the syringe barrel, and a locking element including a protrusion complimentary with the retention groove and configured to engage retention groove and maintain rotatable element upon the syringe barrel.

BACKGROUND

The field of the invention relates generally to injectors, and more specifically to injectors having a barrel with a rotatable element.

SUMMARY

One aspect is directed to an injector. The injector includes a handle assembly, a syringe barrel having a circumference and a receptacle for receiving a fluid. The injector also includes a nozzle for directing fluid from the receptacle, a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through the receptacle, and a rotatable element disposed on the syringe barrel and configured to rotate at least partially about the circumference of the barrel.

Another aspect is directed to a slip ring assembly for an injector. The injector includes a handle assembly coupled to a syringe barrel, and a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through a receptacle. The slip ring assembly includes a rotatable element disposed about the syringe barrel and configured to rotate at least partially about a circumference of the barrel. The slip ring assembly also includes a retention groove positioned on the syringe barrel, and a locking element having a protrusion complementary with the retention groove and configured to engage the retention groove and maintain the rotatable element upon the syringe barrel.

Still another aspect is directed to an injector including a disposable syringe barrel having a circumference and a receptacle for receiving a fluid and a nozzle for directing fluid from the receptacle. The injector further includes a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through the receptacle, and a rotatable element including at least one axially aligned hinge element that extends outwardly from the rotatable element and enables the rear handle member to be removably coupled to the rotatable element disposed on the syringe barrel. The rotatable element is configured to rotate at least partially about the circumference of the barrel. Further, the injector includes a handle assembly having a rear handle member removably coupled to the rotatable element, and a forward handle member removably coupled to the plunger, wherein the rear handle member is pivotally coupled to the forward handle member at a hinge in a scissors-type arrangement.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a side view of an exemplary injector.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary injector that includes an exemplary rotatable element.

FIG. 3 is a side assembly view of the injector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of an exemplary locking element used with the injector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side assembly view of an alternative locking element used with the injector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective assembly view of an alternative locking element used with the injector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a syringe barrel with finger loops.

FIG. 8 is a top view of exemplary hinge elements extending from a rotatable element.

FIG. 9 a side view of an exemplary injector with an infusion/aspiration element secured to a distal end of the syringe barrel.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a system including handles that are configured to be used with a variety of different barrel configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary injector. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary injector that includes an exemplary rotatable element. FIG. 3 is a side assembly view of the injector shown in FIG. 1. In the exemplary embodiment, injector 10 includes a handle assembly 12 having a forward handle member 14 and a rear handle member 16. Injector 10 includes a plunger 18 partially received in a syringe barrel 20. The plunger 18 has an end 22 that is not received in barrel 20. Barrel 20 is adapted to receive a quantity of fluid (not shown) within a receptacle 24 (shown in FIG. 2) that is defined by an outer wall 26 of the barrel 20. The fluid can be selectively forced out of the barrel through a nozzle 28. The fluid in the barrel is not limited to the following, but may be for example, a medication, a contrast agent, or a gas for inflation of a balloon or catheter.

In the exemplary embodiment, a main body 30 (e.g a first section) of barrel 20 has a substantially uniform outer diameter OD30. At the nozzle 28, outer wall 26 tapers to a much smaller outer diameter, which forms a standard fitting element 29, that is configured to receive an injection or aspiration needle (e.g., a hypodermic needle, biopsy needle, etc.), a catheter, or any similar device, as described herein. A proximal end 32 (e.g. a second section) of barrel 20 includes a substantially uniform outer diameter OD32 that is smaller than outer diameter OD30 of main body 30, such that a proximal ridge 34 at a boundary between main body 30 and proximal end 32.

Proximal end 32 includes a distally located axle 36 that includes a substantially smooth surface, and a proximally located retention feature 38. In the exemplary embodiment, retention feature 38 includes threads. Alternatively, retention feature 38 is a protrusion (e.g. a flange), or any feature that is configured to receive, engage, and retain a separate locking element 50 and that enables the injector 10 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, a rotatable element 40 is annular in shape (i.e., ring-shaped), and includes a substantially constant inner diameter ID40 that is slightly larger than the outer diameter OD32 of proximal end 32 of barrel 20 but smaller than the outer diameter OD30 of main body 30 of barrel 20, allowing rotatable element 40 to be concentrically placed on proximal end 32. More specifically, rotatable element 40 may be placed over axle 36, adjacent to ridge 34. An inner surface 42 of rotatable element 40 is substantially smooth, which facilitates the free rotation of rotatable element 40 at least partially around axle 36. In the exemplary embodiment, rotatable element 40 is configured to rotate about axle 36 while barrel 20 is maintained substantially stationary. Alternatively, rotatable element 40 may be maintained substantially stationary as barrel 20 is rotated therein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of an exemplary locking element used with injector 10, shown in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment, injector 10 includes a locking element 50. Locking element 50 includes an inner surface 52 with an engagement feature 54 (e.g., threads) that cooperates with complementary retention feature 38 at proximal end 32 of barrel 20. When locking element 50 is disposed on retention feature 38, an outer surface of axle 36 is circumferentially recessed relative to outer surfaces of main body 30 of barrel 20 and locking element 50. In the alternative embodiment a circumferential groove 56 (see FIG. 8) is formed between main body 30 and locking element 50. The dimensions (e.g., a depth) of the resulting groove 56 axially retain rotatable element 40 over axle 36.

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view of an alternative locking element used with the injector 10 shown in FIG. 1. In the alternative embodiment, barrel 20′ includes a retention feature 38′ that facilitates the assembly of a rotatable element 40 with barrel 20′, but prevents the removal of rotatable element 40 from barrel 20′. Retention feature 38′ includes at least one tab 39′ that is configured and oriented to facilitate the placement of rotatable element 40 over axle 36, but prevent rotatable element 40 from being removed from axle 36. Retention feature 38′ includes a relaxed position (not shown) and a contracted position (not shown). More specifically, tabs 39′ are oriented and configured to extend from an outer surface of the remainder of retention feature 38′. When rotatable element 40 is positioned on retention feature 38′ and slid distally toward axle 36, tabs 39′ may be pressed radially inward to the contracted position, allowing rotatable element 40 to slide thereover and onto axle 36′. Once rotatable element 40 has been positioned properly upon axle 36′, tabs 39′ resiliently rebound to the relaxed position, and extend radially from the surface of the remainder of retention feature 38′ and retain rotatable element 40 in place on axle 36.

FIG. 6 is a side assembly view of an alternative locking element used with the injector shown in FIG. 1. In yet another embodiment of the rotatable element shown in FIG. 1, barrel 120 includes at least one protrusion 136 that extends circumferentially outward from a portion of barrel 120. In the exemplary embodiment, protrusion 136 is a flange. Alternatively, protrusion 136 may be a single ring or ridge, a plurality of aligned or unaligned protrusions, spaced-apart teeth or other similar structures. A rotatable element 140 is configured for assembly with barrel 120 includes an annular shape and a groove 142 for receiving protrusion 136. Groove 142 and protrusion 136 are configured to enable rotatable element 140 to rotate at least partially around barrel 120. Protrusion 136 is configured to facilitate the assembly of rotatable element 140 with barrel 120 while preventing the disassembly of rotatable element 140 from barrel. Alternatively, rotatable element 140 is configured (e.g., with appropriate positioned slots, a hinge and locking element, etc.) to facilitate its placement over and retention by protrusion(s) 136 in a configuration that enables injector 10 to function as described herein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a syringe barrel with finger holes 64. Syringe 60 includes a barrel 20/20′ and a rotatable element 40″ that includes finger holes 64 that extend therefrom to form a handle 62. In the exemplary embodiment, rotatable element 40″ is slidably coupled to barrel 20/20′ in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, which includes at least one protrusion 136 (shown in FIG. 6) that extends circumferentially outward from a portion of barrel 20/20′. Rotatable element 40″ is includes a groove 142 (shown in FIG. 6) for receiving protrusion 136 (shown in FIG. 6). Groove 142 and protrusion 136 are configured to enable rotatable element 40″ to rotate at least partially around barrel 20/20′. Protrusion 136 is configured to facilitate the assembly of rotatable element 40″ with barrel 20/20′ while preventing the disassembly of rotatable element 40″ from barrel. Alternatively, rotatable element 40″ may be coupled to barrel using an embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, or any combination of the embodiments described here, or other attachment method that would enable injector 10 to function as described herein. Additionally, and in the exemplary embodiment, syringe 60 also includes a thumb loop 68 disposed on a proximal end 69 of plunger 66. Alternatively, the ring of the thumb loop 68 may be omitted from this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of exemplary hinge elements 70 extending from a rotatable element 40′″. FIG. 9 a side view of an exemplary injector with an infusion/aspiration element secured to a distal end of the syringe barrel. In the exemplary embodiment, rotatable element 40′″ includes at least one hinge element 70 used to couple rotatable element 40′″ to a handle assembly 12, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1. Hinge elements 70 extend from opposing sides of rotatable element 40′″. The axis of rotation of hinge elements 70 may intersect a central axis through rotatable element 40′″. With such an arrangement, when rotatable element 40′″ is in place over an axle 36 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3-5) of a syringe barrel 20, 20′, the central axis through rotatable element 40′″ will substantially align with a central axis through the length of barrel 20, 20′. Thus, in such an arrangement, the axis of rotation of hinge elements 70 will also intersect the central axis through barrel 20, 20′.

Hinge elements 70 facilitate pivotal assembly of rotatable element 40′″ with a member 82 of syringe actuation handle 80, such as that shown in FIG. 8. Member 82 of syringe actuation handle 80 is pivotally associated with another member 84 that is coupled to a syringe plunger 86. In the exemplary embodiment, members 82, 84 are coupled at a scissors-type hinge 88. Alternatively, members 82, 84 are connected in any arrangement that enables injector 10 to function as described herein.

In use, a rotatable element that incorporates embodiments of the present invention (e.g., rotatable element 40, 40″, 40″, etc.) allows for some movement of syringe handles (e.g., handle 62, handle 80, etc.) while the barrel (e.g., barrel 20, 20′, etc.) and a distally located peripheral device 90, such as a catheter or needle, remains substantially stationary. Thus, a syringe according to the present invention eliminates the need for relatively complex and expensive rotatable fittings, or coupling elements, such as slip ring luer locks.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a system including handles that are configured to be used with a variety of different barrel configurations. Rotatable element 40″, 40′″ may be disassembled from barrel 20 (see, e.g., the embodiment of rotatable element 40 shown in FIGS. 2-4). In such embodiments, once a barrel 20 has been used, it is removed from rotatable element 40″, 40′″, disposed of, and replaced with a different barrel 20 a. Thus, the handles (e.g., handle 62 (FIG. 7) or handles 80 (FIG. 1)) that are associated with such a rotatable element 40″, 40′″ are reused, which in some instances may reduce the expenses that have conventionally been incurred when many types of syringes, including, but not limited to, control and leveraged syringes, are used.

By enabling barrel replacement, the use of a rotatable element of the present invention (e.g., rotatable element 40″, 40″, etc.) in conjunction with reusable handles (e.g., handles 62, 80, etc.) provide a modular system that may be used with syringe barrels 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D (which may, e.g., be configured as barrel 20, 20′, etc.) of a variety of different configurations. By way of example only, barrels of a plurality of different volumes, of a plurality of different dimensions, that include a plurality of different optional features (e.g., no optional features, release valves, ports configured for connection to pressure gauges and other apparatus, inlet ports, etc.), or the like may be used with one reusable handle. Differently configured syringe barrels that are configured for use with the same rotatable element may have commonly dimensioned features for engagement by the rotatable clement, or may be used in combination with adapters that facilitate their use with the same rotatable element.

Exemplary embodiments of slip ring assemblies of use on injector, syringe or aspiration-type devices are described in detail above. The above-described assemblies regarding a rotatable member and removable syringe barrel may be implemented to facilitate a more accessible and practical injector design for easier usage during operation. The embodiments contained herein enable a user to place a peripheral device, such as a catheter or needle, within a patient in any orientation and still use the handles of the injector in a comfortable fashion. In addition to being able to rotate about a barrel (e.g., barrel 20 or 20′), a rotatable element (e.g., rotatable element 40, 40″, 40″, etc.) enables the barrel to rotate as the rotatable element is held (e.g., by a handle 62, 80, etc.) in a stationary or somewhat stationary (accounting for normal movement by a healthcare provider operating the handle) position. This feature may be useful for coupling a syringe/injector/aspiration device to a distally located peripheral device that is already in place in a subject's body.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.

Although the apparatus and methods described herein are described in the context of using a rotatable member disposed upon an injector for use in medical devices, it is understood that the apparatus and methods are not limited to medical syringe-type injectors. Specifically, for example, dual rotatable members may be disposed upon a double barrel injector/aspirator/syringe apparatus and embodiments of the present application may be employed on such a design in combination. Likewise, the system components illustrated are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, system components can be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1. An injector comprising: a handle assembly; a syringe barrel having a circumference, the barrel comprising: a receptacle for receiving a fluid; a nozzle for directing fluid from the receptacle; a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through the receptacle; and a rotatable element disposed on the syringe barrel and configured to rotate at least partially about the circumference of the barrel.
 2. The injector according to claim 1 wherein the handle assembly further comprises a rear handle member pivotally coupled to the rotatable element.
 3. The injector of claim 1 wherein the handle assembly comprises a forward handle member pivotally coupled to the plunger and a rear handle member pivotally coupled to the forward handle member at a hinge in a scissors-type arrangement.
 4. The injector according to claim 3 further comprising at least one axially aligned hinge element that extends outwardly from the rotatable element and enables the rear handle member to be pivotally coupled to the rotatable element.
 5. The injector according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable element further comprises a surface configured to engage a locking element.
 6. The injector according to claim 5 wherein the locking element comprises a retention feature positioned about the syringe barrel, the rotatable element comprising a groove disposed within the rotatable element surface and configured to engage the retention feature.
 7. The injector according to claim 6 wherein the barrel comprises a first section and a second section, each section having an outside diameter, the first section outside diameter being longer than the second section outside diameter, the retention feature positioned upon the second section.
 8. The injector according to claim 5 wherein the locking element further comprises a tab configured to maintain rotatable element position along the barrel.
 9. The injector according to claim 1 wherein the handle assembly comprises at least one finger loop extending radially outward from the rotatable element, and a finger loop extending outward from the plunger.
 10. The injector according to claim 1 further comprising a fitting fixedly coupled to the nozzle.
 11. A slip ring assembly for an injector, the injector comprising a handle assembly coupled to a syringe barrel comprising a receptacle configured to receive a fluid, a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through the receptacle, the slip ring assembly comprising: a rotatable element disposed about the syringe barrel and configured to rotate at least partially about a circumference of the barrel; a retention groove positioned upon the syringe barrel; and a locking element comprising a protrusion complementary with the retention groove and configured to engage retention groove and maintain rotatable element upon the syringe barrel.
 12. The slip ring assembly according to claim 11 wherein the handle assembly comprises a forward handle member coupled to the plunger.
 13. The slip ring assembly according to claim 12 wherein the handle assembly further comprises a rear handle member pivotally coupled to the rotatable element, the rear handle member pivotally coupled to the forward handle member at a hinge.
 14. The slip ring assembly according to claim 11 wherein the retention groove comprises a proximal engagement portion including area of smaller outer dimension than a main body of the barrel, the protrusion positioned upon the engagement portion.
 15. The slip ring assembly according to claim 11 wherein the retention groove comprises complementary threads configured to receive and retain the locking element.
 16. The slip ring assembly according to claim 11 wherein the handle assembly comprises finger loops of a control syringe that are integral with the rotatable element.
 17. The slip ring assembly according to claim 11 further comprising a pair of axially aligned hinge elements that extend from the rotatable element and enable the rear handle member to be pivotally coupled to the rotatable element.
 18. An injector comprising; a disposable syringe barrel having a circumference, the barrel comprising: a receptacle for receiving a fluid; a nozzle for directing fluid from the receptacle; a plunger configured to rotate and slidably translate through the receptacle; a rotatable element comprising at least one axially aligned hinge element that extends outwardly from the rotatable element and enables the rear handle member to be removably coupled to the rotatable element disposed on the syringe barrel, the rotatable element configured to rotate at least partially about the circumference of the barrel; and a handle assembly comprising a rear handle member removably coupled to the rotatable element, and a forward handle member removably coupled to the plunger, wherein the rear handle member is pivotally coupled to the forward handle member at a hinge in a scissors-type arrangement.
 19. The injector in accordance with claim 18 wherein the rotatable element further comprises a surface configured to engage a locking element.
 20. The injector in accordance with claim 18 wherein the barrel comprises a first section and a second section, each section having an outside diameter, the first section outside diameter being longer than the second section outside diameter, wherein a retention element is positioned upon the second section. 